Web seriesThe online magazine that helps LGBTQ+ women to stay updated with entertaining blogs and breaking news about LGBT rights.https://www.lezbelib.com/blog/e-li/feed/atom2019-02-22T15:27:09+00:00Joomla! - Open Source Content Management13 same-sex couples sue the Japanese government for marriage rights2019-02-22T02:06:19+00:002019-02-22T02:06:19+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/asia-africa-etc-news/13-same-sex-couples-sue-the-japanese-government-for-marriage-rightsE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/lgbt-couple-japan-marriage-equality.jpg" alt="lgbt couple japan marriage equality" width="387" height="301" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>13 LGBTQ+ couples</strong> chose Valentine’s Day to launch what is the first lawsuit against the Japanese government to get the right to marry.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>According to the Japanese news agency <em><a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/02/e98bca051778-gay-couples-seek-marriage-equality-in-japan-in-valentines-day-suits.html" target="_parent">Kyodo Newso</a></em>, the 13 couples have seized four district courts:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tokyo</li>
<li>Sapporo</li>
<li>Nagoya</li>
<li>Osaka</li>
</ul>
<p>Couples believe that their constitutional rights are not respected.</p>
<p>Although there is no prohibition of <strong>marriage equality</strong>, the government interprets the Constitution’s marriage provisions not to allow same-sex unions.</p>
<p>They don’t take into account the parts of the Constitution guaranteeing equality, as couples’ lawyers explain.</p>
<p>“The Constitution gives you the right to pursue happiness and equality before the law,” said Yoshie Yokoyama, one of the group’s lawyers, according to the <em>South China Morning Post</em>. “Not recognizing same-sex marriage violates this.”</p>
<p>Article 24 of the Japanese Constitution stipulates that “Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis.”</p>
<p>The idea is to change this article so that all couples can marry.</p>
<p>More and more <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/japan" target="_parent">Japanese municipalities recognize same-sex unions</a>, yet these “partnership certificates” do not grant all the rights that married couples can enjoy, such as inheritance rights, visitation rights during health emergencies and spousal visas.</p>
<p>For the first time in Japan, same-sex couples are engaging in a legal battle to gain better recognition of their unions.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/lgbt-couple-japan-marriage-equality.jpg" alt="lgbt couple japan marriage equality" width="387" height="301" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>13 LGBTQ+ couples</strong> chose Valentine’s Day to launch what is the first lawsuit against the Japanese government to get the right to marry.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>According to the Japanese news agency <em><a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/02/e98bca051778-gay-couples-seek-marriage-equality-in-japan-in-valentines-day-suits.html" target="_parent">Kyodo Newso</a></em>, the 13 couples have seized four district courts:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tokyo</li>
<li>Sapporo</li>
<li>Nagoya</li>
<li>Osaka</li>
</ul>
<p>Couples believe that their constitutional rights are not respected.</p>
<p>Although there is no prohibition of <strong>marriage equality</strong>, the government interprets the Constitution’s marriage provisions not to allow same-sex unions.</p>
<p>They don’t take into account the parts of the Constitution guaranteeing equality, as couples’ lawyers explain.</p>
<p>“The Constitution gives you the right to pursue happiness and equality before the law,” said Yoshie Yokoyama, one of the group’s lawyers, according to the <em>South China Morning Post</em>. “Not recognizing same-sex marriage violates this.”</p>
<p>Article 24 of the Japanese Constitution stipulates that “Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis.”</p>
<p>The idea is to change this article so that all couples can marry.</p>
<p>More and more <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/japan" target="_parent">Japanese municipalities recognize same-sex unions</a>, yet these “partnership certificates” do not grant all the rights that married couples can enjoy, such as inheritance rights, visitation rights during health emergencies and spousal visas.</p>
<p>For the first time in Japan, same-sex couples are engaging in a legal battle to gain better recognition of their unions.</p></div>The “conversion therapies” ban advanced in the House of Minnesota2019-02-19T00:08:10+00:002019-02-19T00:08:10+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/the-conversion-therapies-ban-advanced-in-the-house-of-minnesotaE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/minnesota-house.jpg" alt="minnesota house" width="382" height="236" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee in the House of Minnesota approved the “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/conversion-therapies" target="_parent">conversion therapies</a>” ban by a 10-6 vote.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>“Conversion therapy is not only an unfounded scientific practice but also a seriously damaging one as well,” said gay Rep. Hunter Cantrell, the author of the bill.</p>
<p>Labeled “Protection from Conversion Therapy,” the prohibition provides for sanctions against any “mental health practitioner or mental health professional… that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”</p>
<p>This prohibition will protect people under 18 and those classified as vulnerable adults.</p>
<p>Senator Scott Dibble, the lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said: “if you’re an adult, it’s a free country, but it has to be disclosed that this has been discredited.”</p>
<p>With the consent of the Health and Human Services Committee, the first step has been successfully completed, but the next one will be more complicated.</p>
<p>Indeed, since the Democrats control the House, the bill should be passed.</p>
<p>But the senators’ approval will be difficult to obtain. Republicans have opposed the legislation in the Committee and they controlled the Senate.</p>
<p>They consider the project too broad and say it would undermine religious freedoms and prevent a person from freely following a “conversion therapy”.</p>
<p>However, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz supports the ban.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/minnesota-house.jpg" alt="minnesota house" width="382" height="236" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee in the House of Minnesota approved the “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/conversion-therapies" target="_parent">conversion therapies</a>” ban by a 10-6 vote.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>“Conversion therapy is not only an unfounded scientific practice but also a seriously damaging one as well,” said gay Rep. Hunter Cantrell, the author of the bill.</p>
<p>Labeled “Protection from Conversion Therapy,” the prohibition provides for sanctions against any “mental health practitioner or mental health professional… that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.”</p>
<p>This prohibition will protect people under 18 and those classified as vulnerable adults.</p>
<p>Senator Scott Dibble, the lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said: “if you’re an adult, it’s a free country, but it has to be disclosed that this has been discredited.”</p>
<p>With the consent of the Health and Human Services Committee, the first step has been successfully completed, but the next one will be more complicated.</p>
<p>Indeed, since the Democrats control the House, the bill should be passed.</p>
<p>But the senators’ approval will be difficult to obtain. Republicans have opposed the legislation in the Committee and they controlled the Senate.</p>
<p>They consider the project too broad and say it would undermine religious freedoms and prevent a person from freely following a “conversion therapy”.</p>
<p>However, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz supports the ban.</p></div>Cologne plans to set up LGBTQ traffic lights!2019-02-18T23:48:14+00:002019-02-18T23:48:14+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/events/cologne-plans-to-set-up-lgbtq-traffic-lightsE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/Events/lgbt-traffic-light.jpg" alt="lgbt traffic light" width="454" height="239" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>To celebrate the Pride Parade held in Cologne this summer, the city will replace 20 classic traffic lights for pedestrians with lights representing same-sex couples along the Parade route.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Cologne, in western Germany, is organizing one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride Parades.</p>
<p>This year will be the occasion to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall riots.</p>
<p>The city didn’t specify if they will reinstate the standard traffic lights after the event, so the change may be final.</p>
<p>With <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/same-sex-traffic-lights" target="_parent">LGBTQ traffic lights</a>, Cologne will bring more diversity this summer again.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/Events/lgbt-traffic-light.jpg" alt="lgbt traffic light" width="454" height="239" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>To celebrate the Pride Parade held in Cologne this summer, the city will replace 20 classic traffic lights for pedestrians with lights representing same-sex couples along the Parade route.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Cologne, in western Germany, is organizing one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride Parades.</p>
<p>This year will be the occasion to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall riots.</p>
<p>The city didn’t specify if they will reinstate the standard traffic lights after the event, so the change may be final.</p>
<p>With <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/same-sex-traffic-lights" target="_parent">LGBTQ traffic lights</a>, Cologne will bring more diversity this summer again.</p></div>Hulu should renew “Marvel’s Runaways” for a third season2019-02-18T23:48:16+00:002019-02-18T23:48:16+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/tv-movies/hulu-should-renew-marvel-s-runaways-for-a-third-seasonE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/TV/runaways-s2.jpg" alt="runaways s2" width="419" height="236" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Hulu seems to be ready to develop a third season of “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/marvel-s-runaways" target="_parent">Marvel’s Runaways</a>”.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>During the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, Hulu’s content chief Craig Erwich kept the suspense about the future of the series while subtly unveiling their plan.</p>
<p>“We’re really happy with the performance of Runaways, both creatively and in terms of its performance, and we’ll have an announcement shortly,” he said.</p>
<p>The streaming service should renew “Marvel’s Runaways”&nbsp;for a season 3, which could premiere in December or next January.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/TV/runaways-s2.jpg" alt="runaways s2" width="419" height="236" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Hulu seems to be ready to develop a third season of “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/marvel-s-runaways" target="_parent">Marvel’s Runaways</a>”.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>During the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, Hulu’s content chief Craig Erwich kept the suspense about the future of the series while subtly unveiling their plan.</p>
<p>“We’re really happy with the performance of Runaways, both creatively and in terms of its performance, and we’ll have an announcement shortly,” he said.</p>
<p>The streaming service should renew “Marvel’s Runaways”&nbsp;for a season 3, which could premiere in December or next January.</p></div>Mary Walsh and Beverly Nance lost their lawsuit against a retirement home in Missouri2019-01-25T00:24:08+00:002019-01-25T00:24:08+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/mary-walsh-and-beverly-nance-lost-their-lawsuit-against-a-retirement-home-in-missouriE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2018-News/Mary-Walsh-Beverly-Nance.jpg" alt="Mary Walsh Beverly Nance" width="383" height="256" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Do you remember <strong>Mary Walsh</strong> and <strong>Beverly Nance</strong>, a married lesbian couple forbidden to move together to a Missouri retirement home? The two women had filed a complaint against <strong>Friendship Village Sunset Hills</strong> but the judge had ruled against the couple.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Mary and Beverly wanted to live together in a retirement home. Their request was refused because “the cohabitation policy” only understands marriage as a union between a man and a woman.</p>
<p>As there is no law protecting people against discrimination based on sexual orientation, the strategy of <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/missouri-friendship-village-refuses-to-accept-two-women-because-they-are-married">Mary, Beverly and their lawyers has been to file a complaint of discrimination based on sex</a> - if Beverly had been a man, the couple would have been accepted into the retirement home.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton ruled against the two women. The court recognized the discrimination but said it was based on “sexual orientation rather than sex” and as such, it was legal.</p>
<p>Judge Hamilton added that sexuality “is not explicitly a protected characteristic” under the <strong>Fair Housing Act</strong>, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status and national origin in Missouri.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, “the court recognizes that several federal courts have held otherwise in recent opinions, concluding that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a form of sex discrimination.”</p>
<p>The problem here is that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, which is the immediate appeals court above Judge Hamilton’s court, “has not changed its position on the issue, and so the court must dismiss.”</p>
<p>Mary and Beverly were disappointed with the court’s decision and told St. Louis Public Radio they were thinking about the next steps and discussing it with their attorneys.</p>
<p>Mary and Beverly will have highlighted a major problem: the lack of protections for Missouri LGBTQ people in housing, education and employment.</p>
<p>Know Missouri <strong>Governor Mike Parson</strong> said he’s “open to the idea of extending discrimination protections to LGBT Missourians.”</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2018-News/Mary-Walsh-Beverly-Nance.jpg" alt="Mary Walsh Beverly Nance" width="383" height="256" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Do you remember <strong>Mary Walsh</strong> and <strong>Beverly Nance</strong>, a married lesbian couple forbidden to move together to a Missouri retirement home? The two women had filed a complaint against <strong>Friendship Village Sunset Hills</strong> but the judge had ruled against the couple.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Mary and Beverly wanted to live together in a retirement home. Their request was refused because “the cohabitation policy” only understands marriage as a union between a man and a woman.</p>
<p>As there is no law protecting people against discrimination based on sexual orientation, the strategy of <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/missouri-friendship-village-refuses-to-accept-two-women-because-they-are-married">Mary, Beverly and their lawyers has been to file a complaint of discrimination based on sex</a> - if Beverly had been a man, the couple would have been accepted into the retirement home.</p>
<p>U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton ruled against the two women. The court recognized the discrimination but said it was based on “sexual orientation rather than sex” and as such, it was legal.</p>
<p>Judge Hamilton added that sexuality “is not explicitly a protected characteristic” under the <strong>Fair Housing Act</strong>, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status and national origin in Missouri.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, “the court recognizes that several federal courts have held otherwise in recent opinions, concluding that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a form of sex discrimination.”</p>
<p>The problem here is that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, which is the immediate appeals court above Judge Hamilton’s court, “has not changed its position on the issue, and so the court must dismiss.”</p>
<p>Mary and Beverly were disappointed with the court’s decision and told St. Louis Public Radio they were thinking about the next steps and discussing it with their attorneys.</p>
<p>Mary and Beverly will have highlighted a major problem: the lack of protections for Missouri LGBTQ people in housing, education and employment.</p>
<p>Know Missouri <strong>Governor Mike Parson</strong> said he’s “open to the idea of extending discrimination protections to LGBT Missourians.”</p></div>A psychotherapist is trying to repeal Maryland “conversion therapies” ban2019-01-23T00:42:48+00:002019-01-23T00:42:48+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/a-psychotherapist-is-trying-to-repeal-maryland-conversion-therapies-banE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/lawsuit.jpg" alt="lawsuit" width="374" height="250" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>A psychotherapist has filed a lawsuit hoping to overturn the <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/conversion-therapy">“conversion therapies” ban</a> in Maryland.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Christopher Doyle says the ban violates his rights to free speech, the practice of religion, and the rights of clients “to prioritize their religious and moral values above unwanted same-sex sexual attractions, behaviors, or identities.”</p>
<p>He has therefore sued Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Attorney General Brian Frosh.</p>
<p>Doyle is represented by <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/liberty-counsel">Liberty Counsel</a>, a Christian group that hates LGBTQ people and opposes conversion therapy bans, abortion, and equal marriage.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/maryland-bans-conversion-therapies-for-lgbtq-youth">Maryland became the 11th state</a> to prohibit “reparative therapies” for LGBTQ minors in 2018.</p>
<p>I don’t think this lawsuit will succeed given the wave of “conversion therapies” bans taking place across the United States.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/lawsuit.jpg" alt="lawsuit" width="374" height="250" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>A psychotherapist has filed a lawsuit hoping to overturn the <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/conversion-therapy">“conversion therapies” ban</a> in Maryland.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Christopher Doyle says the ban violates his rights to free speech, the practice of religion, and the rights of clients “to prioritize their religious and moral values above unwanted same-sex sexual attractions, behaviors, or identities.”</p>
<p>He has therefore sued Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Attorney General Brian Frosh.</p>
<p>Doyle is represented by <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/liberty-counsel">Liberty Counsel</a>, a Christian group that hates LGBTQ people and opposes conversion therapy bans, abortion, and equal marriage.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/maryland-bans-conversion-therapies-for-lgbtq-youth">Maryland became the 11th state</a> to prohibit “reparative therapies” for LGBTQ minors in 2018.</p>
<p>I don’t think this lawsuit will succeed given the wave of “conversion therapies” bans taking place across the United States.</p></div>Wisconsin now protects all LGBTQ state employees2019-01-23T00:43:19+00:002019-01-23T00:43:19+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/wisconsin-now-protects-all-lgbtq-state-employeesE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/governor-tony-evers.jpg" alt="governor tony evers" width="399" height="225" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Governor Tony Evers</strong> began his term by issuing an order to protect <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/lgbt-employees"><strong>LGBTQ employees</strong></a> against discrimination.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Thus it is now prohibited to discriminate against a state employee based on his/her/their sexual orientation or gender identity.</p>
<p>This executive order is another step forward for the LGBTQ community in Wisconsin.</p>
<p>For the moment, Wisconsin still does not allow protection against discrimination based on gender identity. But that could change.</p>
<p>State representatives <strong>Mark Spreitzer</strong> and <strong>JoCasta Zamarripa</strong>, and Senator <strong>Tim Carpenter</strong> introduced the <strong>Privacy Protection and Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act</strong> that would add gender identity and expression to Wisconsin’s pre-existing nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, public spaces, and education.</p>
<p>I didn’t expect a governor to begin his term with an executive order promoting equality for LGBTQ people. Very good start Governor Evers.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/governor-tony-evers.jpg" alt="governor tony evers" width="399" height="225" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Governor Tony Evers</strong> began his term by issuing an order to protect <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/lgbt-employees"><strong>LGBTQ employees</strong></a> against discrimination.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Thus it is now prohibited to discriminate against a state employee based on his/her/their sexual orientation or gender identity.</p>
<p>This executive order is another step forward for the LGBTQ community in Wisconsin.</p>
<p>For the moment, Wisconsin still does not allow protection against discrimination based on gender identity. But that could change.</p>
<p>State representatives <strong>Mark Spreitzer</strong> and <strong>JoCasta Zamarripa</strong>, and Senator <strong>Tim Carpenter</strong> introduced the <strong>Privacy Protection and Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act</strong> that would add gender identity and expression to Wisconsin’s pre-existing nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, public spaces, and education.</p>
<p>I didn’t expect a governor to begin his term with an executive order promoting equality for LGBTQ people. Very good start Governor Evers.</p></div>Watch “Party of One” by Brandi Carlile featuring “The Handmaid’s Tale” star Elisabeth Moss2019-01-22T01:02:34+00:002019-01-22T01:02:34+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/music/watch-party-of-one-by-brandi-carlile-featuring-the-handmaid-s-tale-star-elisabeth-mossE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/Music/Brandi-Carlile/elisabeth-moss-brandi-carlile.jpg" alt="elisabeth moss brandi carlile" width="410" height="273" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/lesbian-singer">Lesbian singer</a> and musician Brandi Carlile released the music video of “<em>Party of One</em>” that is both powerful and emotional.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>“<em>Party of One</em>” is the latest single from “<em>By The Way, I Forgive You</em>”, <strong>Brandi Carlile</strong>’s sixth studio album she released in 2018. It has been recently recognized as one of the best albums of the year at the Grammy Awards 2019.</p>
<p>Brandi Carlile talked about “Party of One” and shared her vision of marriage in an interview with <em>Billboard</em> - Carlile has married to <strong>Catherine Shepherd</strong> in 2012 -:</p>
<p>“I don’t think marriage is work, but I hear straight couples asked all the time, ‘Do you feel different now that you’re married?’ And they’re like, ‘Hell, no,’ because marriage is an institution they’ve had access to since the beginning of time. But it is different for us. That’s what ‘<em>Party of One</em>’ is about: No matter how epic the fight is, you always have to ask yourself what you can do to stay”.</p>
<p>Also, as you will see, <strong>Elisabeth Moss</strong>, the star of “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/the-handmaid-s-tale">The Handmaid’s Tale</a>”, plays one of the two main roles in this music video with Nicole Disson.</p>
<p><iframe style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FW5xe1FpDfQ" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></p>
<p>For more information on Brandi Carlile, visit her website: <a style="-en-clipboard: true;" href="http://bytheway.brandicarlile.com/">brandicarlile.com</a></p>
<p>You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brandicarlile">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brandicarlile">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brandicarlile/">Instagram</a>.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/Music/Brandi-Carlile/elisabeth-moss-brandi-carlile.jpg" alt="elisabeth moss brandi carlile" width="410" height="273" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/lesbian-singer">Lesbian singer</a> and musician Brandi Carlile released the music video of “<em>Party of One</em>” that is both powerful and emotional.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>“<em>Party of One</em>” is the latest single from “<em>By The Way, I Forgive You</em>”, <strong>Brandi Carlile</strong>’s sixth studio album she released in 2018. It has been recently recognized as one of the best albums of the year at the Grammy Awards 2019.</p>
<p>Brandi Carlile talked about “Party of One” and shared her vision of marriage in an interview with <em>Billboard</em> - Carlile has married to <strong>Catherine Shepherd</strong> in 2012 -:</p>
<p>“I don’t think marriage is work, but I hear straight couples asked all the time, ‘Do you feel different now that you’re married?’ And they’re like, ‘Hell, no,’ because marriage is an institution they’ve had access to since the beginning of time. But it is different for us. That’s what ‘<em>Party of One</em>’ is about: No matter how epic the fight is, you always have to ask yourself what you can do to stay”.</p>
<p>Also, as you will see, <strong>Elisabeth Moss</strong>, the star of “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/the-handmaid-s-tale">The Handmaid’s Tale</a>”, plays one of the two main roles in this music video with Nicole Disson.</p>
<p><iframe style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FW5xe1FpDfQ" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"></iframe></p>
<p>For more information on Brandi Carlile, visit her website: <a style="-en-clipboard: true;" href="http://bytheway.brandicarlile.com/">brandicarlile.com</a></p>
<p>You can follow her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brandicarlile">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/brandicarlile">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brandicarlile/">Instagram</a>.</p></div>Lesbian officer Catie Poole appointed LGBTQ liaison for Nashville2019-01-22T01:02:34+00:002019-01-22T01:02:34+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/lesbian-officer-catie-poole-appointed-lgbtq-liaison-for-nashvilleE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/lgbtq-liaison-catie-poole.jpg" alt="lgbtq liaison catie poole" width="369" height="218" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The <strong>Metro Nashville Police Department</strong> has created a full-time <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/lgbt-liaison"><strong>LGBTQ liaison</strong></a> and chose openly lesbian officer Catie Poole for this position because of her understanding of LGBTQ people and her five-year experience as a police agent.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Catie Poole has already set goals:</p>
<ul>
<li>“to be focused on the community—getting involved with the numerous groups around here, getting to know them personally and to be able to&nbsp;be there for them as a resource… They’ll have my contact information personally, and not just the community groups, but also individuals in the community.”</li>
</ul>
<p>She has met with leaders of organizations and groups.</p>
<ul>
<li>to launch a <strong>Safe Place program</strong> “to address the hate crime issue… hate crimes are one of the most under-reported crimes out there.”</li>
</ul>
<p>Poole will set up a site related to the program.</p>
<p>As she explains, “the website that we will be creating here with the launch of the program is meant to promote the reporting of hate crimes across all minority groups…&nbsp; The safe place program will… also, give them a safe place of refuge…</p>
<p>“Participating businesses will put the rainbow decals on their front window in a very prominent location so that people know they can go into a location as a place of safety and seek help in contacting the authorities.</p>
<p>“This is meant to comfort victims who may have a negative impression of the police, people who have perhaps even fled war and violence, and to give them a safe place to stay.”</p>
<p>“When they offered it [the job] to me, I jumped on it. I was excited about it from the get-go, so I’m honored asked to do it,” Catie Poole said.</p>
<p>Deputy Chief John Drake, head of the Support Services Bureau, added, “It’s a start-up program, and we wanted someone good, energetic, knowledgeable of the entire community, especially the LGBTQ community’s needs, and she was perfect! She’s been a good officer. On top of her work as a patrol officer, she was already doing community outreach, and I knew she would rise to the challenge.”</p>
<p>There are other US cities with LGBTQ liaisons within the Metropolitan Police such as Seattle, Atlanta, Annapolis, New York, <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/lesbian-named-as-liaison-to-the-lgbt-community-in-philadelphia">Philadelphia</a>, <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/virginia-beach-sheriff-appointed-its-first-lgbt-liaison-officer">Virginia Beach</a>, and Washington DC.</p>
<p>Now you have a lesbian LGBTQ Liaison in the Nashville Police Department whom you can contact if you encounter a problem.</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/lgbtq-liaison-catie-poole.jpg" alt="lgbtq liaison catie poole" width="369" height="218" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The <strong>Metro Nashville Police Department</strong> has created a full-time <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/lgbt-liaison"><strong>LGBTQ liaison</strong></a> and chose openly lesbian officer Catie Poole for this position because of her understanding of LGBTQ people and her five-year experience as a police agent.</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>Catie Poole has already set goals:</p>
<ul>
<li>“to be focused on the community—getting involved with the numerous groups around here, getting to know them personally and to be able to&nbsp;be there for them as a resource… They’ll have my contact information personally, and not just the community groups, but also individuals in the community.”</li>
</ul>
<p>She has met with leaders of organizations and groups.</p>
<ul>
<li>to launch a <strong>Safe Place program</strong> “to address the hate crime issue… hate crimes are one of the most under-reported crimes out there.”</li>
</ul>
<p>Poole will set up a site related to the program.</p>
<p>As she explains, “the website that we will be creating here with the launch of the program is meant to promote the reporting of hate crimes across all minority groups…&nbsp; The safe place program will… also, give them a safe place of refuge…</p>
<p>“Participating businesses will put the rainbow decals on their front window in a very prominent location so that people know they can go into a location as a place of safety and seek help in contacting the authorities.</p>
<p>“This is meant to comfort victims who may have a negative impression of the police, people who have perhaps even fled war and violence, and to give them a safe place to stay.”</p>
<p>“When they offered it [the job] to me, I jumped on it. I was excited about it from the get-go, so I’m honored asked to do it,” Catie Poole said.</p>
<p>Deputy Chief John Drake, head of the Support Services Bureau, added, “It’s a start-up program, and we wanted someone good, energetic, knowledgeable of the entire community, especially the LGBTQ community’s needs, and she was perfect! She’s been a good officer. On top of her work as a patrol officer, she was already doing community outreach, and I knew she would rise to the challenge.”</p>
<p>There are other US cities with LGBTQ liaisons within the Metropolitan Police such as Seattle, Atlanta, Annapolis, New York, <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/lesbian-named-as-liaison-to-the-lgbt-community-in-philadelphia">Philadelphia</a>, <a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/virginia-beach-sheriff-appointed-its-first-lgbt-liaison-officer">Virginia Beach</a>, and Washington DC.</p>
<p>Now you have a lesbian LGBTQ Liaison in the Nashville Police Department whom you can contact if you encounter a problem.</p></div>New York to become the 15th state to ban “conversion therapies” to minors2019-01-21T00:59:10+00:002019-01-21T00:59:10+00:00https://www.lezbelib.com/us-news/new-york-to-become-the-15th-state-to-ban-conversion-therapies-to-minorsE-Liinfo@lezbelib.com<div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/new-york.jpg" alt="new york" width="451" height="180" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>New York</strong> will become the 15th state to prohibit “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/conversion-therapy">conversion therapies</a>”, another great victory against these cruel practices!</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>The state of New York has approved the bill to prevent licensed practitioners from attempting to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors.</p>
<p>Both houses almost voted the ban unanimously: 134-3 in the Assembly and 57-4 in the Senate.</p>
<p>“New York has a compelling interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth,” the bill reads in part, “and in protecting its minors against exposure to serious harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts.”</p>
<p>However, the measure doesn’t apply to clergy or other unlicensed practitioners.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/governor-andrew-cuomo"><strong>Governor Andrew Cuomo</strong></a> has already endorsed the legislation and will sign the bill into law this week.</p>
<p>Mid-term elections will have benefited New York. Previouly, senators had blocked two attempts to prohibit “conversion therapies” despite Assembly approval.</p>
<p>The fact that Democrats have regained the majority in the Senate has made the ban a reality.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">Photo by Tongro Image Stock</p></div><div class="K2FeedIntroText"><p><img style="float: left;" src="https://www.lezbelib.com/images/stories/2019-News/new-york.jpg" alt="new york" width="451" height="180" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>New York</strong> will become the 15th state to prohibit “<a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/conversion-therapy">conversion therapies</a>”, another great victory against these cruel practices!</p>
</div><div class="K2FeedFullText">
<p>The state of New York has approved the bill to prevent licensed practitioners from attempting to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors.</p>
<p>Both houses almost voted the ban unanimously: 134-3 in the Assembly and 57-4 in the Senate.</p>
<p>“New York has a compelling interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth,” the bill reads in part, “and in protecting its minors against exposure to serious harms caused by sexual orientation change efforts.”</p>
<p>However, the measure doesn’t apply to clergy or other unlicensed practitioners.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lezbelib.com/tag/governor-andrew-cuomo"><strong>Governor Andrew Cuomo</strong></a> has already endorsed the legislation and will sign the bill into law this week.</p>
<p>Mid-term elections will have benefited New York. Previouly, senators had blocked two attempts to prohibit “conversion therapies” despite Assembly approval.</p>
<p>The fact that Democrats have regained the majority in the Senate has made the ban a reality.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">Photo by Tongro Image Stock</p></div>